RUFC - Defender happy with clean sheet

Rotherham United defender, Jon Harley says that, like his manager, he is looking at the positives from the nil-nil draw at Macclesfield on Monday.

Speaking after the game, where he had a cracking shot in the first half that the 'keeper did very well to save, the player on loan from Notts County told Radio Sheffield, 'It wasn't a particularly good game but we were solid at the back and it was a clean sheet. We had five or six chances where the 'keeper has had to work hard or the bar kept them in the game so, in my opinion, it should have been three points but maybe we didn't deserve to win on the football side of it, although, at either end, I think we did our job and we were unfortunate not to score.'

Speaking about the shot he had from forty yards out, the thirty-two year old said, 'It just teed up and I thought I'd have a go but I probably won't be doing that for another few years. It's a once in a lifetime kind of effort!

'There were probably five or six efforts like that - Revs (Alex Revell), Schoey (Danny Schofield) and Grabbs (Lewis Grabban) all had chances - there were a lot of chances. We aren't used to keeping clean sheets and not scoring, usually it's the other way round but it's a nice habit for us, as a defence, to get into. We've had two clean sheets back-to-back which is our main focus and we know that our attacking players are always going to score. We've got a lot of good ball players here who have pace and can score goals.

'As a defence we've been leaking a lot of goals and it's put more pressure on the strikers to score but we've been working hard on the training ground and been discussing the best things for us to do and it seems the last couple of games we've performed to keep a clean sheet. Obviously, it's easier when you have a back four without too much rotation but we've had injuries and been unfortunate but Troy (Brown) has come in today and he was magnificent. Likewise, Jaybo (Jason Taylor) was playing in there and was doing well and everyone who has come in has played their part.

'Our focus is now on Cheltenham on Friday. We know it's going to be a tough game but we are confident that we can be solid and we will be going in the right frame of mind.'

Speaking about the closeness of the games over the festive period, Jon said, 'I think footballers would like to have a break but it's something you get used to and part and parcel of being a footballer. I don't think anyone is complaining because it's the best job in the world. And it's a period when people are off work and they are going to come and watch games and, from a business point of view, it makes sense to have a lot of games.'

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